US criticizes Nigeria's pardon of corrupt official

FILE - Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, centre, stands outside his house guarded by policemen in Yenagoa, Nigeria, in this file photo dated Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. Presidential adviser Doyin Okupe said Wednesday March 13, 2013, that Nigeria's Council of States headed by President Goodluck Jonathan has pardoned the former political benefactor of the nation's president, who was convicted of stealing millions of dollars while serving as a state governor. The decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha was greeted with derision by activists who highlight Nigeria as having one of the world's most corrupt governments. (AP Photo, File)

President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks at the Decatur Recreation Center in Decatur, Ga., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 in Decatur, Ga., about his plans for early childhood education, this following his State of the Union address. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

President Barack Obama waves as he walks off Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, upon returning from Decatur, Ga., where he spoke of his education plans., following his State of the Union address. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

In this photo taken, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 workers prepare hamburgers at Johnny Rockets restaurant in Lagos, Nigeria. As Nigeria’s middle class grows along with the appetite for foreign brands in Africa’s most populous nation, more foreign restaurants and lifestyle companies are entering the country. And the draw on Nigerians’ new discretionary spending has also put new expectations on providing quality service in a nation where many have grown accustomed to expecting very little. ( AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

In this photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 waitresses prepare to serve hamburgers and fries at Johnny Rockets restaurant in Lagos, Nigeria. As Nigeria’s middle class grows along with the appetite for foreign brands in Africa’s most populous nation, more foreign restaurants and lifestyle companies are entering the country. And the draw on Nigerians’ new discretionary spending has also put new expectations on providing quality service in a nation where many have grown accustomed to expecting very little. ( AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

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LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The United States has criticized Nigeria for issuing a pardon to a former governor convicted of corruption who is a political confidant of the nation's president.

In messages Friday on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria said it was "deeply disappointed" over the pardon issued this week of former Bayelsa state Gov. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached and later convicted in Nigeria. Investigators said he likely stole millions of dollars while in office.

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan once served as Alamieyeseigha's deputy. His impeachment marked the start of Jonathan's rise in Nigerian politics.

The embassy said: "We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption." Embassy spokeswoman Deb MacLean said Friday that officials had no further immediate comment.